While I wish I could respond to each and every one of the comments below, 300 responses would take up far more time than I have available.

Still, I did want to clear a few things up.

In particular, this part:

I believe in freedom of speech very strongly. I equally as strongly believe that graphic images of children in sexual scenarios is not something a healthy person needs to carry on their laptop. Some call it art, I call it inappropriate.

A few of you seem to be think that the second statement above nullifies the first. In fact, it strengthens it.

That second part there? That’s my opinion. That’s what I believe.

Nowhere in there did I call for the banning of anything, or state that a man deserves a year in jail for owning a specific book. I find that type of art inappropriate. You’re free to look at whatever you like. Me? I don’t like it.

Believing in free speech doesn’t mean you have to like everything it encompasses. Alternatively, not liking or finding something inappropriate does not mean that thing should be banned.

My entire point of this page was to make light of the headlines that the CBLDF has been making lately and to share my opinion that I wish they would direct their efforts elsewhere, where I feel is a greater need.

Does that make sense?

Original Post:

At one point, I’m pretty sure the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund sounded like a much needed organization.

From where it stands today, however, all I seem to read about is how they’re seeking to protect someone who’s either reading, selling or transporting manga with depictions of sexual acts. Starring children.

I believe in freedom of speech very strongly. I equally as strongly believe that graphic images of children in sexual scenarios is not something a healthy person needs to carry on their laptop. Some call it art, I call it inappropriate.

The CBLDF raises and spends hundreds of thousands of dollars a year on these cases, and even within the comic book industry, there are plenty of other people who need defending. I hope one day to see the CBLDF become what it should be.

Today’s 1st amendment protected page was done by Ryan Lee:

Ryan Lee is a freelance illustrator/designer diligently working out of his home studio surrounded by foxes and spiders in Northwestern Michigan. Since his graduation from the College for Creative Studies in 1999, he has been steadily working in various creative mediums including (but not limited to) illustration, advertising, graphic design, character design, fine art painting, and storyboards. Most recently, Ryan has refocused his work efforts on the comic book industry, a passion of his since he first picked up a pen as a child.

We’ll see you back here at the end of the week, folks, enjoy new comic book day.